Easy Macaroni Casserole
User Reviews
4.8
Easy Macaroni Casserole
Description
This casserole starts by browning lean ground turkey seasoned lightly with salt, providing a savory protein base. Sautéed vegetables including onion, red bell pepper, celery, carrots, and mushroom add moisture and a variety of textures. The addition of diced tomatoes and a homemade marinara sauce enriched the mixture, seasoned with Italian herbs.
The uncooked whole wheat elbow pasta is layered in the casserole dish and covered with the turkey and vegetable sauce, then topped with mozzarella cheese. Baking covered with foil allows the pasta to cook through while the cheese melts and bubbles, producing a comforting and cohesive casserole with a tender pasta texture and rich tomato flavor.
This dish is suitable for a family meal, delivering a balanced combination of lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains. Serving it fresh from the oven ensures the sauce is warm and cheese is melted. The use of whole wheat pasta adds a mildly nutty flavor and denser texture compared to traditional pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped, medium
- 1/4 cup celery finely diced
- 1/4 cup carrot finely diced
- 1 cup mushroom sliced
- 1 diced tomatoes 14.5 oz can, petite, drained
- 2 cups marinara sauce (I used my own homemade)
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
- 8 oz whole wheat elbow pasta uncooked, DeLallo brand
Instructions
- In a large deep non-stick skillet, brown the ground turkey over high heat until cooked through, seasoning with a pinch of salt and breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
- Set aside on a dish.
- Add olive oil to the skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the onion, red pepper, celery and carrots; sauté until the vegetables soft, about 6 to 7 minutes.
- Return the turkey to the skillet along with the remaining ingredients except for the pasta and cheese.
- Bring to a boil and then lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- While simmering, heat oven to 350°F.
- Spoon just enough of the turkey/vegetable mixture to cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
- Cover with uncooked pasta.
- Spoon remaining sauce mixture evenly over the top and sprinkle with cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake 50-55 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Divide into 8 servings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/8th | |
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 63mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 581mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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